Book Review: Green Shadows, White Whale

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you might know that I'm in love with the writing of Ray Bradbury. He is not a YA author, rather he writes for adults, but he nails it. Every time.  Here is the latest book by Bradbury that I have read, may he rest in peace!

Green Shadows, White Whale

Ray Bradbury

 

Goodreads summary:

In 1953, the brilliant but terrifying titan of cinema John Huston summons the young writer Ray Bradbury to Ireland. The apprehensive scribe's quest is to capture on paper the fiercest of all literary beasts -- Moby Dick -- in the form of a workable screenplay so the great director can begin filming.

But from the moment he sets foot on Irish soil, the author embarks on an unexpected odyssey. Meet congenial IRA terrorists, tippling men of the cloth impish playwrights, and the boyos at Heeber Finn's pub. In a land where myth is reality, poetry is plentiful, and life's misfortunes are always cause for celebration, Green Shadows, White Whale is the grandest tour of Ireland you'll ever experience -- with the irrepressible Ray Bradbury as your enthusiastic guide.

Generally, I stick with Bradbury's short stories, usually written in a collection.  But I saw this one sitting on the shelves, and it is related to Moby Dick, so I figured it can't be bad, right!? It was not bad at all! This story stays true to Bradbury's writing, even though it is realistic fiction, rather than Science Fiction.

Even in novels, Bradbury tends to write in short story form.  Each chapter, while explaining more of Bradbury's and Huston's lives, have a theme and a story in it.  This makes for easy reading, as there is a new story or episode every 10 pages or so.  

The story also takes place in Ireland, which, one can never go wrong with Ireland! The reader gets a little bit of Irish culture in this story, and I love that this novel is somewhat autobiographical!  

This book is a MUST READ!